DOCSLIB.ORG

Mosquito Systematics Vol. Lo(3) 1978 301 Comparative Structure of The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Mosquito Systematics Vol. Lo(3) 1978 301 Comparative Structure of The Mosquito Systematics vol. lO(3) 1978 301 Comparative Structure of the Labiohypopharynx of Fourth Stage Mosquito Larvae (Diptera: Culicidae), with Comments on Larval Morphology, Evolution and Feeding Habits* Ralph E. Harbach Department of Entomology North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina 27650 ABSTRACT. The labiohypopharynges of 62 species of fourth stage culicid larvae representing 3 genera of the Dixinae, 2 of the Chaoborinae and all but one (Fica%ia) of the 34 genera recognized by Knight and Stone (1977) have been studied with the light and scanning electron microscopes. The structure of the labiohypopharynx is described and illustrated for at least one species of each genus examined. Phylogenetic relationships are discussed in regard to larval morphology and feeding behavior. INTRODUCTION This paper concludes a series of comparative studies on the mouthparts of fourth stage culicid larvae. Knight (1971) examined the anatomy of the mandi- bles, determined the homologies of the mandibular substructures and developed a structural terminology "suitable for use in taxonomic studies." A similar study was conducted on the maxillae by Knight and Harbach (1977). The comparative examination of the labiohypopharynx made by Harbach and Knight (1977b) paved the way for the present paper. Although the structural interpretation presented herein is basically the same as that given by these authors, a new terminology has been devised which reflects a more refined in- terpretation of structure and conforms more closely to that applied to other insects. The references cited by Harbach and Knight should be consulted for a comprehensive introduction to the literature on the morphology of the labio- hypopharynx. Although Montschadsky (1936), Surtees (1959) and Harbach (1977) have out- lined certain evolutionary trends based on correlations between mouthpart struc- ture and feeding habit, the evolution of culicid larvae is still a much vexed question. In order to shed additional light on larval phylogeny, evolutionary relationships which I have derived from the aforementioned series of studies, as well as observations made on other aspects of larval morphology, are set forth in the discussion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Light and scanning electron microscope investigations were conducted on the labiohypopharynges of alcohol-preserved fourth stage larvae. Material for *This publication was supported in part by NIH Grant LM02787 to Kenneth L. Knight from the National Library of Medicine. 302 examination under the light microscope was prepared and mounted on glass slides according to the procedures of Wirth (1961) and Knight (1971). For the scanning electron microscope, heads were Freon critical-point-dried and mounted anterior end up on aluminum stubs. Once secured, the median labral plate, palatum, an- tennae, mandibles and maxillae were carefully removed from each head in order that the topography of the labiohypopharynx could be examined without obstruc- tion. The labiohypopharynges of one to several larvae were prepared for both the light and scanning electron microscopes. Concerning the figures, each drawing depicts an anterior or near anterior aspect of a labiohypopharynx with its dorsal extremity uppermost. All scale lines are equal to 0.05 mm. The species are grouped into subfamilies and tribes, otherwise the linear order of the taxa has no phylogenetic import. Species stu- died in addition to those illustrated are listed in an appendix. Following Edwards (1932), the family Culicidae is considered to include the Dixinae and Chaoborinae. The taxa constituting Edwards' subfamily Culicinae, however, are recognized here as belonging to the subfamilies Anophelinae, Culi- cinae and Toxorhynchitinae of Knight and Stone (1977). The tribes are those of Belkin (1962). OBSERVATIONS The labium of generalized insects is divided into a proximal postlabium comprising the submentum and mentum and a distal prelabium comprising the pre- mentum, glossae, paraglossae and the labial palpi. In most nematocerous larvae the postlabium has been largely incorporated into the ventral surface of the head capsule (nematocerous larvae are basically prognathous) with only the dis- tal portion of the mentum projecting beyond the anterior margin as a dentate lobe or ridge. The prelabium has united with the hypopharynx to form the compo- site tabiohypopharynx (LbHy). In culicid larvae the labiohypopharynx is attach- ed to the head between the mouth and the dorsomerrtwn (Dm), a transverse subdivi- sion of the mentum found in both culicid (Laffoon and Knight 1973) and chironomid larvae (Saether 1971), where it forms the protruding posterior wall of the pre- oral cavity (Figs. 1,2). The component parts of the labiohypopharynx, the dor- sal hypopharynx (Hy) and the ventral pretabiwn, are joined and supported dorsally by the cibaria2 bars (CB) extending from lateral areas of the cranium. Ventrally the labiohypopharynx is reflected into the mentum at the base of the dorsomentum (Figs. 1,2). Hypopharynx The fleshy hypopharyngeal lobe, often strengthened internally by a sclero- tized hypopharyngea2bar (HUB) (see e.g., Fig. 16), is separated from the scle- rotized prelabium by a slitlike saZ<vary meatus (SM) (Figs. 3,4,39) which is readily visible only with the scanning electron microscope (see the equivalent salivary slit in the lateral aspects of the labiohypopharynges figured by Harbach and Knight 1977b). The salivary orifice opens into the floor of the salivary meatus and is often seen in light microscope preparations. Mosquito Systematics Vol. lO(3) 1978 303 In most Culicinae the hypopharynx bears a pair of earlike lobes, the super- ~inquae (Sl) (see e.g., Figs. 9,13,28,31). These are often imperceptible when observed with the light microscope owing to their membranous nature. As in generalized insects, the superlinguae have united with the median Z~?Z@U (L) to form the definitive hypopharynx. The adoral surface of the hypopharynx of Zeugnomy&z bears a row of branched cuticular processes (Fig. 23) not unlike the "dichotomous bristles' which occur on the hypopharynx of certain simuliid larvae (Craig 1977). The labiohypopharynx of dixine larvae is unique in that the lateral sides of the hypopharyngeal com- ponent support a pair of denticulate tritural surfaces, the ~~popharyngeai!Mae (HyM) (Figs. 3,4). Prelabium The prelabial component of the labiohypopharynx is comprised chiefly of the labial prementtmt, and it is probable that a pair of extrinsic muscles which originate on the ventral cranial wall and insert laterally on often indisting- uishable prementat apodemes(PAP) (see e.g., Figs. 5,14,24,34) is one of two pairs of tentorio-premental muscles found in generalized insects. The central region of the prementum is commonly elevated and bears a variously developed collection of usually strongly sclerotized toothed or toothlike projections which encompass a pair of oval membranous areas. As has been suggested by other authors (Christophers 1960; Chaudonneret 1962), the membranous areas represent vestigial ZabiaZ patpi (LP). Separating the palpi in the Anophelinae and cer- tain Culicinae is a cusped tonguelike structure which seemingly corresponds to the fused glossae and paraglossae, the ZiquZa (Lg), of many other insects, LiguZa. The anopheline ligula (Figs. 5-7) strongly resembles the "ligula" (Saether 1971) of certain chironomid larvae (see the figures of Johannsen 1937). In many culicine larvae, notably those of the genera CuZex (Fig. 11) and Aedes (Fig. 27), the ligula is a recumbent troughlike structure which bears resembl- ance to the "ligula" of simuliid larvae (Craig 1977). In Paradkca, toxorhyn- chitine, and some culicine larvae, including most Sabethini, the ligula is un- recognizably fused with some of the toothlike elements of the prementum (see below). Labia2 paLpi. Each labial palpus commonly bears four sensory peglike structures (yin 1970), Labial pazpaz sensoria 1-4 (LPS , LPS2, LPS , LPS4), which are struc- turally similar to chemoreceptors known to &ave a gusta 2 ory function in other insects. Sensoria 1 and 2 often arise from a commonpedicel (see e.g., Figs. 25,37). Located on each side of the ligula in anopheline larvae is a scale- or leaflike process. These processes correspond exactly to the "paraglossae" (Saether 1971) of certain chironomid larvae. Das (1937), however, maintains that the paraglossae and glossae "generally form a single lobe" in larval in- sects. Since the structures arise from the labial palpi and appear to have an ill-defined socket, they are considered here as Zabiat pazpaz sensoria 5 (LPS5) (Figs. 5,6). 304 Prementum. In general, the most conspicuous feature of the culicid prementum is the intricate assemblage of toothlike processes which subtend the dorsal and lateral margins of the labial palpi. In the generalized condition exemplified by Opifea: fuscus (Fig. 21), these processes can be conveniently subdivided into three groups: 1) the bilaterally paired prementat teeth comprising (a) an inter- connected group of ZateraZ pwmentaZ teeth (LPT) which flank the labial palpi, and (b) a prementaz denta arch @DA) which curves around the dorsal margin of each palpus and is united with the base of the ligula; 2) a cluster of premental CUSPS (PCu) located centrally between the premental dental arches; and 3) a patch of numerous peglike processes, a prementai! maZa (PM), borne on each slop- ing dorsolateral surface adjacent to the lateral premental teeth. The premental teeth are weakly developed in dixine and anopheline larvae
Load more

Recommended publications
  • ARTHROPODA Subphylum Hexapoda Protura, Springtails, Diplura, and Insects
    NINE Phylum ARTHROPODA SUBPHYLUM HEXAPODA Protura, springtails, Diplura, and insects ROD P. MACFARLANE, PETER A. MADDISON, IAN G. ANDREW, JOCELYN A. BERRY, PETER M. JOHNS, ROBERT J. B. HOARE, MARIE-CLAUDE LARIVIÈRE, PENELOPE GREENSLADE, ROSA C. HENDERSON, COURTenaY N. SMITHERS, RicarDO L. PALMA, JOHN B. WARD, ROBERT L. C. PILGRIM, DaVID R. TOWNS, IAN McLELLAN, DAVID A. J. TEULON, TERRY R. HITCHINGS, VICTOR F. EASTOP, NICHOLAS A. MARTIN, MURRAY J. FLETCHER, MARLON A. W. STUFKENS, PAMELA J. DALE, Daniel BURCKHARDT, THOMAS R. BUCKLEY, STEVEN A. TREWICK defining feature of the Hexapoda, as the name suggests, is six legs. Also, the body comprises a head, thorax, and abdomen. The number A of abdominal segments varies, however; there are only six in the Collembola (springtails), 9–12 in the Protura, and 10 in the Diplura, whereas in all other hexapods there are strictly 11. Insects are now regarded as comprising only those hexapods with 11 abdominal segments. Whereas crustaceans are the dominant group of arthropods in the sea, hexapods prevail on land, in numbers and biomass. Altogether, the Hexapoda constitutes the most diverse group of animals – the estimated number of described species worldwide is just over 900,000, with the beetles (order Coleoptera) comprising more than a third of these. Today, the Hexapoda is considered to contain four classes – the Insecta, and the Protura, Collembola, and Diplura. The latter three classes were formerly allied with the insect orders Archaeognatha (jumping bristletails) and Thysanura (silverfish) as the insect subclass Apterygota (‘wingless’). The Apterygota is now regarded as an artificial assemblage (Bitsch & Bitsch 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • Classification of Mosquitoes in Tribe Aedini 925
    FORUM Classification of Mosquitoes in Tribe Aedini (Diptera: Culicidae): Paraphylyphobia, and Classification Versus Cladistic Analysis HARRY M. SAVAGE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, P.O. Box 2087, Fort Collins, CO 80522 J. Med. Entomol. 42(6): 923Ð927 (2005) Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/jme/article/42/6/923/886357 by guest on 29 September 2021 ABSTRACT Many mosquito species are important vectors of human and animal diseases, and others are important nuisance species. To facilitate communication and information exchange among pro- fessional groups interested in vector-borne diseases, it is essential that a stable nomenclature be maintained. For the Culicidae, easily identiÞable genera based on morphology are an asset. Major changes in generic concept, the elevation of 32 subgenera within Aedes to generic status, and changes in hundreds of species names proposed in a recent article demand consideration by all parties interested in mosquito-borne diseases. The entire approach to Aedini systematics of these authors was ßawed by an inordinate fear of paraphyletic taxa or Paraphylyphobia, and their inability to distinguish between classiÞcation and cladistic analysis. Taxonomists should refrain from making taxonomic changes based on preliminary data, and they should be very selective in assigning generic names to only the most important and well-deÞned groups of species. KEY WORDS Aedini classiÞcation, Aedes, Ochlerotatus, paraphylyphobia, mosquito classiÞcation MANY MOSQUITO SPECIES IN the tribe Aedini, a cosmo- In this communication, I brießy review taxonomic politan group represented by 11 genera and Ϸ1,239 categories in a zoological classiÞcation, the Interna- species, are important vectors of human and animal tional Code of Zoological Nomenclature (the Code), diseases, and many others are of considerable eco- the development of generic concept within the Cu- nomic importance as nuisance or pest species.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mosquitoes of New Zealand and Their Animal Disease Significance
    The mosquitoes of New Some mosquito-borne animal pathogens do occur in Zealand and their animal New Zealand but this country is considered free from any that are economically significant. disease significance However, there is a threat of new species of exotic mosquitoes Mosquito type and distribution and/or exotic Species present: Of the 3,500 mosquito species recognised mosquito-borne (1) worldwide , New Zealand has only 16 (Table 1), four of which are pathogens becoming introduced. Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes australis and Aedes established here. notoscriptus are considered to have been introduced in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries(2) (3) (4). Aedes Peter Holder camptorhynchus has recently established in Napier and is the subject of an eradication campaign. The remaining 12 species are indigenous. contact, vector competence (the efficiency of a particular mosquito to transmit a given pathogen), mosquito abundance, and feeding Distribution: The distribution of mosquito species within New behaviour(12) all influence transmission. In addition, there may be Zealand is shown in Table 1. Culex pervigilans is the most wide regional intra-specific variation in vector competence, as well as (2) spread mosquito species in New Zealand and it utilises a wide variation in the ‘compatibility’ of various strains of a pathogen with (5) (6) range of larval habitats . Most of our remaining mosquitoes have a vector. restricted distributions and/or habitats. Cx quinquefasciatus and Ae notoscriptus have remained apparently stable around their Endemic diseases original sites of introduction in Northland and Auckland from their Mosquitoes appear to transmit very few diseases in New Zealand times of introduction (around 1830 and 1900 respectively) until the (Table 1).
    [Show full text]
  • A Stable Classification of Tribe Aedini That Balances Utility with Current Knowledge of Evolutionary Relationships
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Making Mosquito Taxonomy Useful: A Stable Classification of Tribe Aedini that Balances Utility with Current Knowledge of Evolutionary Relationships Richard C. Wilkerson1*, Yvonne-Marie Linton1,2,3,4, Dina M. Fonseca5, Ted R. Schultz1, Dana C. Price5, Daniel A. Strickman6 1 Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, United States of America, 2 Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, Museum Support Center, Smithsonian Institution, Suitland, Maryland, United States of America, 3 Department of Entomology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America, 4 Faculty of Preventative Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America, 5 Entomology Department, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America, 6 Global Health Program, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, United States of America OPEN ACCESS * [email protected] Citation: Wilkerson RC, Linton Y-M, Fonseca DM, Schultz TR, Price DC, Strickman DA (2015) Making Mosquito Taxonomy Useful: A Stable Classification of Tribe Aedini that Balances Utility with Current Abstract Knowledge of Evolutionary Relationships. PLoS ONE The tribe Aedini (Family Culicidae) contains approximately one-quarter of the known spe- 10(7): e0133602. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0133602 cies of mosquitoes, including vectors of deadly or debilitating disease agents. This tribe Editor: Zhong-Jian Liu, The National Orchid contains the genus Aedes, which is one of the three most familiar genera of mosquitoes. Conservation Center of China; The Orchid Conservation & Research Center of Shenzhen, During the past decade, Aedini has been the focus of a series of extensive morphology- CHINA based phylogenetic studies published by Reinert, Harbach, and Kitching (RH&K).
    [Show full text]
  • Diptera: Culicidae), Based on Morphological Characters
    Available online at www.easletters.com Entomology and Applied Science ISSN No: 2349-2864 Letters, 2014, 1, 4:22-50 Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Psorophora Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Culicidae), based on morphological characters Jonathan Liria 1 and Juan-Carlos Navarro 2 1Laboratorio Museo de Zoología, Facultad Experimental de Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela 2Laboratorio de Biología de Vectores, Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Caracas DC, Venezuela Correspondence: [email protected] (Received: 14/8/14 ) (Accepted:5/9/14) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Psorophora were examined based on a cladistic analysis of 66 morphological characters (fourth instar larvae, pupae, males and females) of 29 species available from the 45 species reported in the genus, representing the three subgenera. The ingroup species were: five Psorophora (10 spp total, 50%), seven Grabhamia (15 spp total, 47%) and twelve Janthinosoma (20 spp total, 60%). Two Culicini genera (Culex and Toxorhynchites), two Aedini genera (Aedes and Haemagogus), and one Mansoniini (Mansonia) were used as outgroups and sister groups respectively. A parsimony analysis using TNT resulted in 11 trees, each with 164 steps (CI = 0.66 and RI = 0.83). The analysis indicated that Aedini (Haemagogus, Aedes and Psorophora), is monophyletic group that includes Mansonia titillans (Mansoniini), suggesting natural inclusion of the Mansoniini tribe into Aedini. The genus Psorophora is monophyletic, supported by 3 synapomorphies: larvae with presence of trident-like scales in segment VIII; female with tergo and sternum VIII with rod-like structure and male genitalia with few teeth on the sternite process on segment X.
    [Show full text]
  • Evolutionary Studies of the New Zealand Coastal Mosquito Opifex Fuscus (Hutton) I
    EVOLUTIONARY STUDIES OF THE NEW ZEALAND COASTAL MOSQUITO OPIFEX FUSCUS (HUTTON) I. MATING BEHAVIOUR by ELISABETH SLOOTEN and DAVID M. LAMBERT1)2) (Marine Research Laboratory, R.D. Leigh, and Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, New Zealand) (With2 Figures) (Acc.1-XI-1982) Introduction An understanding of the selective pressures that produced the diversity of animal reproductive behaviour is one of the major goals of evolutionary biology. Clearly, deviations from random mating caused by differences in reproductive behaviour can have a profound effect on the genetic com- position of populations. Insects exhibit a remarkable diversity of sophisticated and complex forms of mating behaviour, and are particularly suitable for studies of this kind due to the rapid turnover rate of most insect populations. The swarming and mating flight of Diptera, typical of most mosquito species, has been reviewed by DowNES (1969). There has been some controversy over the function of swarming in mosquitoes (e.g. BATES, 1949; NIELSEN & HAEGER, 1960; HADDOW & CORBET, 1961; DOWNES, 1969). On the one hand it has been claimed that it has an epigamic function and is associated with mating, on the other that its original function has been lost or is unknown. Certainly in many Anophelines, swarming appears to be associated with mating, defining a time and place in which males and virgin females of the same species are brought into close proximity (e.g. CHARLWOOD & JONES, 1980). The mating behaviour of Opifex fuscus described here is an unusual and interesting variation on the typical mosquito mating system outlined 1) Thanks are due to Brian MCARDLEand Steve DAWSONwho read and criticized the manuscript, and to Heather SILYN-ROBERTSwho took the Scanning Electron Micrographs.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny and Classification of Aedini
    Blackwell Science, LtdOxford, UKZOJZoological Journal of the Linnean Society0024-4082The Lin- nean Society of London, 2004? 2004 1423 289368 Original Article J. F. REINERT ET AL. PHYLOGENY AND CLASSIFICATION OF AEDINI Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 142, 289–368. With 7 figures Phylogeny and classification of Aedini (Diptera: Culicidae), based on morphological characters of all life stages JOHN F. REINERT1*, RALPH E. HARBACH2 and IAN J. KITCHING2 1Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1600/1700 SW, 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608–1067, USA 2Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK Received December 2003; accepted for publication May 2004 Higher-level relationships within Aedini, the largest tribe of Culicidae, are explored using morphological characters of eggs, fourth-instar larvae, pupae, and adult females and males. In total, 172 characters were examined for 119 exemplar species representing the existing 12 genera and 56 subgenera recognized within the tribe. The data for immature and adult stages were analysed separately and in combination using equal (EW) and implied weighting (IW). Since the classification of Aedini is based mainly on adult morphology, we first tested whether adult data alone would support the existing classification. Overall, the results of these analyses did not reflect the generic classifi- cation of the tribe. The tribe as a whole was portrayed as a polyphyletic assemblage of Aedes and Ochlerotatus within which eight (EW) or seven (IW) other genera were embedded. Strict consensus trees (SCTs) derived from analyses of the immature stages data were almost completely unresolved.
    [Show full text]
  • Zootaxa,The Culicidae (Diptera): a Review of Taxonomy, Classification
    Zootaxa 1668:591–638 (2007) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2007 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) The Culicidae (Diptera): a review of taxonomy, classification and phylogeny* RALPH E. HARBACH Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K. E-mail: [email protected] *In: Zhang, Z.-Q. & Shear, W.A. (Eds) (2007) Linnaeus Tercentenary: Progress in Invertebrate Taxonomy. Zootaxa, 1668, 1–766. Table of contents Abstract . 591 Introduction . 592 Taxonomic history and classification . 593 Taxonomic treatments and molecular systematics . 595 Phylogeny and classification of Culicidae . 598 Mosquito fossils and the antiquity of Culicidae . 605 Phylogeny and classification of Anophelinae . 606 Phylogeny and classification of Aedini . 613 Phylogeny and classification of Culicini . 619 Phylogeny and classification of Sabethini . 623 What is known about mosquito phylogeny and classification? . 628 Concluding statement . 629 Acknowledgements . 629 References . 629 Abstract The taxonomy, classification and phylogeny of family Culicidae are reviewed. The application of explicit methods of phylogenetic analysis has revealed weaknesses in the traditional classification of mosquitoes, but little progress has been made to achieve a robust, stable classification that reflects evolutionary relationships. The current phenetic classification is discussed in view of phylogeny reconstructions based on cladistic analyses of morphological and molecular data. It
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Selection and the Evolution of Mating Systems in Flies
    Sexual selection and the evolution of mating systems in flies Gerald S. Wilkinson* and Philip M. Johns Department of Biology, University of Maryland *correspondence Department of Biology University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 Phone: 301-405-6942 Fax: 301-314-9358 Email: [email protected] In: The Biology of the Diptera. (D.K. Yeates and B.M. Weigmann, eds.) pp. 312-339. Columbia University Press, New York Wilkinson and Johns Mating systems in flies I. Introduction Flies are a model group for the study of mating systems because of their extensive evolutionary diversification and ecological variation (see Yeates and Wiegmann, this volume). For example, adults of some species feed on nectar, pollen or other exudates, others suck blood from vertebrate hosts or are exclusively predaceous, and a few are even kleptoparasitic (Sivinski 1999). Larvae of many species are detritovores in semiaquatic or aquatic environments, but parasitic larval forms have also evolved repeatedly, as have plant-feeding forms. Based on classical mating system theory (Emlen & Oring 1977), one would expect that the ecological diversity exhibited by adult flies would influence the form of the mating system. As will become clear from this chapter, to a large extent this prediction is supported. Second, many species of flies in two families, Tephritidae and Drosophilidae, have received extensive study due to their economic importance and use as model organisms respectively (we reworded this, Drosophilidae have no medical or economic importance). The scope, detail and diversity of studies on these groups provide a fertile ground to identify patterns and establish causal mechanisms . Finally, due in part to the development of Drosophila melanogaster as a model system for the study of genetics, Mendelian markers have been available for many years and have been used to quantify parentage and sperm precedence.
    [Show full text]
  • Journa Entomology and Zoology Studies
    Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2017; 5(6): 845-850 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 Relevance of female genitalic attributes in species JEZS 2017; 5(6): 845-850 © 2017 JEZS identification of Culicinae Received: 25-09-2017 Accepted: 26-10-2017 Simarjit Kaur Simarjit Kaur and Jagbir Singh Kirti Department of Zoology & Environmental Sciences, Punjabi Abstract University, Patiala, Punjab, The genitalia of female mosquitoes exhibits outstanding morphological variations which are of generic India. significance. A number of important taxonomic attributes have been studied in the genitalia of seven Jagbir Singh Kirti species viz., Christopharsiomyia thomsoni (Theobald), Coquillettidia crassipes (van der Wulp), Culex Department of Zoology & (Eumelanomyia) brevipalpi (Giles), Fredwardius vittatus (Bigot), Mucidus scatophagoides (Theobald), Environmental Sciences, Punjabi Neomelaniconion lineatopenne (Ludlow) and Verrallina (Neomacleaya) indica (Theobald) collected University, Patiala, Punjab, during survey cum collection tours from 2009-2011. The attributes like tergum IX, insula, lower and India. upper vaginal lips, spermathecal eminence, spermathecal capsules, cercus and post genital plate have been illustrated and discussed in detailed. Keywords: Female genitalia, mosquitoes, identification 1. Introduction Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) have eminence medical importance and are among the most intensively studied across the world. Identification of various mosquito species is still very difficult because of the occurrence of various sibling species and species complexes. Moreover, the external features, particularly such as scales and hairs are removable or losable, and often become unsuitable for differentiating a number of closely related species. Due to this, most of the authors have given importance to male genitalic attributes and all the known keys are based on larvae and male genitalia.
    [Show full text]
  • Behavioural Analysis of Feeding and Reproduction in Haematophagous Insects
    Proc, Indian Acad. Sci. (Anim. Sci.), Vol. 94, No.3, June 1985, pp. 225-238. © Printed in India. Behavioural analysis of feeding and reproduction in haematophagous insects RS PRASAD Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum 695581, India Abstract. The only common factor the haematophagous arthropods share among themsel­ ves is the blood sucking habit. This habit which ties them down to an unnatural assemblage, confers on them certain parallelism even in their natural diversities. Behavioural activities of haematophagous arthropods, like those of many other animals, centre around 3majoraspects: searching for a suitable host and feeding on it; meeting of the sexesand finding a suitable place for oviposition. Behaviour of blood sucking insects assume importance because these insects act as vectors of many blood-borne infections of man and animals. In this article, feeding and reproductive behaviours of haematophagous insects are analysed on certain hierarchy of events like: motivation; search and consummation. Keywords. Haematophagous insects; behaviour; feeding; reproduction. 1. Introduction Feeding and reproduction are largely interconnected performances. This would become clear from the flow diagram (figure I) which shows in a very general and simplified way how a hungry, motivated insect searches for a host and after finding a suitable one, takes a blood meal (consummation) leading to satiation. This further leads to ecdysis and/or ovarian maturation and egg laying (in hemimetabolous insects like bugs and lice which are blood feeders during all the stages of their life cycles, feeding results in ecdysis during immature stages, while in adults, feeding results in egg laying). This brings our insect back to the beginning of the cycle i.e., searching for a host.
    [Show full text]
  • (Diptera, Culicidae). VI
    Contributions of the American En totnoIogica/ Institute Volume 3, Number 1, 1968 MOSQUITO STUDIES (Diptera, Culicidae) VII. The Culicidae of New Zealand. By John N. Belkin. MOSQUITO STUDIES (Diptera, Culicidae) VII. THE CULICIDAE OF NEW ZEALAND1 BY John N. Belkin2 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................... 3 MORPHOLOGY. ........................... 4 SYSTEMATICS AND BIOGEOGRAPHY. ................. 5 KEYS TO SUBFAMILIES. ....................... 7‘ SUBFAMILY DIXINAE. ........................ 8 Keys to Tribes and Genera. ................... .15 Tribe Dixini .......................... .16 Genus Neodixa ....................... .16 1. Neodixa minuta. ................... .16 Genus Nothodixa ...................... .17’ Keys to Species ................... .21 2. Nothodixa campbelli ................. .22 3. Nothodixa philpotti .................. .25 4. Nothodixa otagensis. ................. .26 5. Nothodixa septentrionalis ............... .27 Tribe Paradixini ........................ .29 Genus Paradixa. ...................... .29 Keys to Species ................... .33 6. Paradixa neozelandica ................ .35 7. Paradixa fuscinervis ................. .39 8. Paradixa tonnoiri, n. sp. ............... .44 9. Paradixa harrisi ................... .46 I This investigation was supported by National Science Foundation Research Grants Cl8961 and GB2270. 2 Department of Zoology, University of California, Los Angeles, Califor- nia 90024. Belkin: Culicidae of New Zealand 3 INTRODUCTION In a previous study (Belkin 1962:15-18) I alluded to the extraordinary
    [Show full text]